Accra, 23 August 2021: – Ghana hosted a roadshow to raise awareness about the substantial benefits of attending the second Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021). Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, IATF2021 will take place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa from 15 to 21 November 2021.
In his Keynote speech, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry of Ghana, Honourable Herbert Krapa said: ‘The intra-African Trade Fair is an indispensable market access and information sharing avenue, necessary to unlock the benefits of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). IATF is therefore very relevant in the trade economies of the African continent.’
Mr. Denys Denya, Afreximbank’s Executive Vice President in charge of Finance, Administration and Banking Services said: ‘Afreximbank stands firm in our commitment in support of Intra-African trade and investment and in so doing we are ready to support you to ensure there are adequate resources both financial and non-financial.’ He added that ‘as one of the biggest economies in West Africa, the participation and contribution of the private sector of Ghana is key in the success of the AfCFTA. IATF2021 provides a sustainable platform for buyers and sellers, investors and governments to connect, exchange trade, investment, market information, and conclude transactions.’
The IATF2021 roadshow in Accra featured a panel discussion under the theme “Building forward better post-COVID-19: promoting Ghana-Africa trade and investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with the participation of Ms. Kanayo Awani, Managing Director of Afreximbank’s Intra-African Trade Initiative; Ms. Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, CEO, Ghana Enterprises Agency; Mr. Humphrey Ayim Darke, Vice President of AGI; Mr Neville Matjie, CEO Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal; Ms. Demitta Ayang, Senior Advisor, Customs & Trade Facilitation, AfCFTA Secretariat, and Mr. Anthony Nyame-Baafi, Senior Technical Advisor, Ministry of Trade and Industry Ghana.
Closing Remarks at the Roadshow were made by the South African High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Ms Grace Jeanet Mason who said: ‘Our resilience and greatest strength is in our constitutional order. Together we will rebuild, reconstruct and recover our economy.’
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About the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021)
Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the second Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021) will take place in Durban from 15 to 21 November 2021.
IATF2021 provides a platform to promote trade under the AfCFTA. It will bring together continental and global buyers and sellers, and will enable stakeholders to share trade, investment and market information as well as trade finance and trade facilitation solutions designed to support intra-African trade and the economic integration of the continent. In addition to establishing business-to-business and business-to-government exchange platforms for business deals and advisory services, IATF2021 also operates IATF2021 Virtual, an interactive online platform that replicates the physical event. IATF2021 will also focus on Africa’s creative economy as well as the automotive industry with dedicated programmes. A conference will run alongside the exhibition and will feature high-profile speakers and panellists addressing topical issues relating to trade, trade finance, payments, trade facilitation, trade-enabling infrastructure, trade standards, industrialisation, regional value chains and investment.
To register as a delegate or as an exhibitor for IATF2021 please visit: www.intrafricantradefair.com
Media Contacts
Amadou Labba Sall: asall@afreximbank.com
Lennox Mabaso: lennox.mabaso@kznpremier.gov.za